AMS Flashcards
voters get 2 votes
P-It gives the voter choice as each voter gets two votes
E-one to elect a CMSP and one to choose a party from which will come 7 List. This allows the views of these voters to be better represented – Tory in Kyd. Fewer wasted votes.
EX-the 2003 election produced a ‘Rainbow Parliament’ where the use of the second vote resulted in Scottish Socialists, Green and the ‘Pensioner Party’ (SSCUP) being represented.
A-These smaller parties claim the views of more of the electorate were being represented as their presence helped raise the profile of social issues like free school meals for all and pensioner poverty.
H- Two ballot papers proved to be confusing - in 2007, 140,00 votes were wasted as voters incorrectly filled in the ballot paper.
A-The loss of these votes clearly implies AMS failed to allow the views of these voters to be represented.
Fair representation
P-Under the AMS, the degree of proportionality allows for a much fairer representation of parties in Parliament.
EX- in 2021 Labour won 19% of the votes and gained 17% of the seats
A- Which is evidence that the views of the electorate are being represented.
F- The second vote does not necessarily give the electorate choice.
EX-In Scottish elections, the second vote is for a party rather than a candidate so List MSPs are chosen by the parties which means the views of the electorate are not being fully represented. It gives too much power to the parties.
A-So, whilst the second vote does not allow the voter to vote for specific candidates, the views of the electorate are better represented due to the proportionality of the system.
Coalition governments are more likely to form
P- Coalition governments are more likely to be formed, but this is not what the electorate voted for.
E-Critics state that too much time is wasted on discussing and compromise instead of getting the job done quickly – as in a majority government.
EX-the minority SNP government of 2007-11 had difficulty passing laws such as Minimum Unit Pricing because they did not have a majority.
A-This shows that the government wasted four years passing a law rather than focusing on more important issues
H- Compromise is seen as healthy in a democracy because decisions better reflect a wider range of the electorate’s views
EX- The Labour/Lib Dem coalition of 1999-2003 ensured that Scottish students did not have to pay up-front university tuition fees but this was as a result of a compromise with the Lib Dem.
A-So arguably the views of the electorate are better represented as the AMS allows a broad range of views and opinions to be considered.
